Prosecutors charge husband in murder, attempted suicide

Grace Irwin found dead in south KC home

Jackson County prosecutors have charged a 93-year-old man with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, a case police have described as a murder-attempted suicide.

Police were called to a neighborhood near 110th and Wyandotte streets just before 7 a.m. They found the body of Grace Irwin, 95, inside the house. Her husband, Harry Irwin, was injured and taken to a hospital. Both had received wounds from a knife.

"There's always a back story behind every homicide and this is a pretty unique one," Young said.

According to court documents, Harry Irwin told police that his wife had been arguing and screaming at her all night when he "did her in." He said he tried to stab himself in the chest but must have aimed too low and hit a rib.

According to court documents, Harry Irwin called his daughter to tell her that her mother was dead, shortly before he tried to take his own life.

Neighbors said they were stunned. One neighbor talked about seeing family members come to the house Wednesday morning.

"They were just talking, then they started running across the street, coming here crying," said James Wright, 14. "I didn't really know what happened and I got on my bus and went to school, so now I found out. It's really sad what happened, they are really nice people."

Neighbor Jim Turner said he met the man a few months ago when he borrowed a shovel.

"He was on his feet as he came to the door and did not seem remarkable to me in terms of health," he said.

Other neighbors who knew the couple said they were known for being kind to other people and each other.

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